I need ideas for my upcycled stools, please

Laurie Harry
by Laurie Harry
I want to refinish these stools for resale but am debating about color. I want to keep the seat a lighter natural finish and paint the legs. I am thinking a high gloss black? What do you think/suggest? Dare I go with a bright color? I want them to be marketable.



  12 answers
  • Gma Kirk Gma Kirk on Feb 16, 2017

    Go for something Whimsical! I like your idea of keeping the seat natural, which would keep it from bring too gaudy. Your stools' legs have turnings that would be natural color change points. You can plug in whimsical painted furniture for ideas. Post pictures of what you decide to do!

  • Laurie Harry Laurie Harry on Feb 17, 2017

    I love the look, but am afraid of the level of difficulty. Also, what kind of paint would you use to do that?

    • Gma Kirk Gma Kirk on Feb 18, 2017

      I use acrylic paint. You can do very cute just painting each section a different color., paint each leg the same collection of colors same order or not. You can leave solid, no dots required! or you can add them w paint pens or permanent marker. Then clear polyurethane when you're done!

  • Karen Karen on Feb 17, 2017

    What about a mid-tone grey and burnish the metal heal rest so it shines?

  • Msj5248235 Msj5248235 on Feb 17, 2017

    Paint them using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint -- lots of variety of colours. But if you're going to sell them, you might want to be neutral. One ofmy favorites is Graphite. I would say 2 coats would do and once dry, either use Annie Sloan's dark wax, or simply use water-base clear coat. Below is the chair I recently salvaged using graphite and dark wax. I also re-upholtered the seat.

  • Linda Abate Linda Abate on Feb 17, 2017

    Why not pail the seat one color and the legs another. Or, you could upholster the seat and paint the rest. Good luck.

  • Those are beautiful, well worn stools! What is selling like hotcakes in your area? I think your idea of gloss black for the legs with a stained seat is a safe bet. Gray tones are big now. Plus we are going into spring, maybe a high gloss white for the farmhouse look? Still with a natural stain for the seat. Please re-post when you complete! Love to see your decision. Have fun and good luck.

  • I've recently gone both routes when re-doing stools.

    Here are the ones in our kitchen now: http://simpledecoratingtips.com/2016/05/02/counter-stool-makeover/


    Here are the ones I redid before that. (I just got tired of the bright colors but guests loved them) http://simpledecoratingtips.com/2015/06/08/inspiration-for-colors/


    Hope that helps.

    Liz from SimpleDecoratingTips.com


  • Joanie Joanie on Feb 18, 2017

    I like your idea! You should get a nice price for them........they are strong and sturdy stools........at least they look that way. Anyone with a bar or lunch counter is gonna love these!!

  • Grace Grace on Feb 19, 2017

    I just posted my project.

  • Susan Bechamp Susan Bechamp on Feb 19, 2017

    Keeping the seat top stained and sealed is a good choice. Black high-gloss painted legs look fantastic. (I did a drop-leaf table with high-gloss black paint). Just paint the underside of the seat a bright color and keep the rest black and natural. The color would be reflected by the polished metal heel rest instead of being fully visible.

  • Darlene Odom Darlene Odom on Feb 21, 2017

    I don't know how old your stools are but if they are vintage/antique you may want to just clean them up and try to sell them before painting. Some beautiful pieces have been ruined in value by painting, etc. If they don't sell soon then basic flat black or grey tones and cleaned up trim will match a lot of today's decor.

  • Evangelina Diaz Evangelina Diaz on Feb 22, 2017

    Paint them high gloss black and paint a colorful Mandela on seat. Its more work but so beautiful if bright colors are used to play off the black